ELIA Virginia Porter - WWII Lt. Col. - Putnam

San Antonio – Lt. Col. Virginia Porter Elia, US Army Retired, wife of a Marshall native, Brig. General, USA Ret, Charles Van Loan Elia died June 23, 2005 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Virginia was a graduate of the University of Indiana School of Nursing in Indianapolis. She joined the Army Nursing Corps in August 1941 as a 2nd Lt just prior to Pearl Harbor.  Virginia served in the Pacific Theater in Australia, New Guinea and Netherlands East Indies to the Philippine Islands where she was awarded two Bronze Stars. Later she earned a BS degree in education and social welfare from Indiana University.  In 1953 as a Captain, Virginia was instrumental in helping develop the Army Health Nursing Program as a new clinical field.  Following tours of duty in Germany, Japan, stateside posts and Alaska, she received a MPH degree from the University of Minnesota. After 27 years of federal service, LTC Elia retired from the Army to become a consultant in tuberculosis prevention and control for the Alaska State Health Department. To visit medical personnel under her supervision in Alaska, Eli flew to isolated villages in a small plane. She resigned her position when B/Gen Charles Elia received orders to report to Fort Sam Houston as Chief Veterinary Officer of the United States Fifth Army.  After his last assignment as Chief, USA Veterinary Corps, the Pentagon Washington DC the Elias moved to Garden Ridge where they have resided the past 27 years.  Services were held July 1, 2005 at Sunset Funeral Home and Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.  B/Gen. Elia’s family in Marshall include his sisters, Mrs. Walter C. Moore, Mrs. Howard Newton, Mrs. Ross Ayers and their families. This obituary has been placed at the request of the family.  Note: Virginia Lucille Porter was the daughter of Roy and Charlotte (Eiteljorg) Porter born in Putnam County 24 Oct 1914. - kbz

Note this obit is on FindAGrave – added by David Tate but is not tagged with the newspaper name

Lt. Col. Virginia Porter (Oct 24, 1915 – June 23, 2005) died June 23 in San Antonio, Texas.  Born Oct 24, 1915 (Berth Certificate #47559) states 24 Oct 1914) in Greencastle, she was the daughter of Roy and Charlotte (Eiteljorge) Porter.  A 1934 graduate of Bainbridge High School, she attended the Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis and Indiana University of Bloomington earning bachelor’s degrees. She joined the US Army Nurse Corps on Aug 7, 1941 and served 37 months in the Pacific Theater. In 1950 she accepted a commission in the US Public Health Service. She rejoined the Army Nurse Corp in 1953 and in 1958 was selected to attend the University of Minnesota earning a Master’s Degree in public health. Her overseas assignments also included Germany, Japan and Alaska. She retired in 1968. She was married to Brig. Gen. Charles V. Ella. He survives. Also surviving are a brother, Jack Porter and sisters Mary Vanlandingham and Elsie Twigg. A memorial service is set for noon Saturday July 16 at Portland Mills Christian Church with Pastor Carl Huxford officiating.  - kbz

Note: Thanks to Paula and Dale - FindAGrave for this great photo